Egg container



April 13, 1954 G. REINER 2,675,159

EGG CONTAINER Filed Nov. 7, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 9 miiimlw as i 46 mnulmuu wm 1 4% INVEN TOR.

1m um! I mlhm hl BY Map/314% I 4 ATTOQ NEYS April 13, 1954 G RElNER 2,675,159

EGG CONTAINER Filed Nov, 7, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. GEQQGE RE\NE'FL W IQAZW Patented Apr. 13, 1954 UNITED STATES FA'E'ENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to egg cartons and has particular reference to a new and improvedegg carton of the type which is provided with eggreceiving recesses for holding a dozen eggs.

It is an object of the invention to provide an egg carton which is formed from an integral single sheet of bendable material such as cardboard which may be readily set up to a pre-assembled form for shipment, from which pre-assembled form the carton may easily be brought to a fully assembled form by merely inserting eggs therein.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an egg carton of the type described in which the construction is such that the contained eggs are well protected from shock or pressure on all of its sides, especially in the stacking of said cartons.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an egg carton of the type described which has a central perforated tear-line at its center along which the carton may be separated into two separate sections holding a half-dozen eggs apiece. The carton is so constructed that it may be torn apart at the tear-line with a minimum danger of damaging the carton or breaking the eggs adjacent said tear-line.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent in'the course of the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the blank ill from which the completed carton is assembled;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a carton formed from the blank of i with the cover 22 partially broken away'to reveal the interior of the carton, and the partition panels thereof shown in various stages of assembly;

Fig. 3 is a partial end view of a plurality of cartons stacked one upon the other with the central carton in the middle horizontal row being shown in section as taken along line tic-4a of Fig. 2, and the central carton in the bottom row shown in section as taken along line 3b-3b of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a partial side view of the stack of cartons of Fig. 3, with the lower central carton shown in section as taken along line 5-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view of one end of the carton showing a stage in the assembly thereof, with a portion of the carton broken away to reveal the interior construction thereof.

- Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a fully assembled carton; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the carton in its pre-assembled form.

Referring in detail to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows the blank In from which the egg carton is assembled. The blank Ill is substantially rectangular and is stamped as an integral unit from cardboard or other similar material which is fairly rigid.

A rectangular bottom panel H extends transversely the width of the blank i 6, and is bordered by a pair of parallel score lines it and 13 on which the blank It may be folded.

A pair of score lines l4 and I5 are respectively spaced from and parallel to the score lines I I and i2 to define a pair of identical side bottom panels l6 and I! which are adjacent to and integral with the sides of the central bottom panel ll.

Another pair of parallel, transverse score lines I8 and I9 are respectively spaced from the score lines l4 and I5. The score line [8 serves as the longitudinal edge of a side panel 20 and an adjacent integral cover panel 22. The score line IS in a similar manner serves as the longitudinal edge of a side panel 2 l and a partition panel 23.

The side panels as and 2! are identical in dimension. The cover panel 22 is of the same width as the partition panel 23.

A perforated line 24 extends the length of the blank I0 along the central longitudinal axis there-' of. If the blank is torn along this line, it is divided into two identical halves.

The perforated line 24 divides the central bottom panel H into two identical half-portions. The panel ll has a pair of oppositely arranged, dome-shaped slots 25 which are equally spaced from the perforated line 24. Within each of these slots 25 is a smaller T-shaped slot 25 which has a longitudinal leg 22a and a transverse cross arm 26b. The transverse cross arm 25b is parallel to the perforated arm 25 and is alined with the ends of the dome-shaped slot 25. Each pair of slots 25 and 26 together define an arcuate, pointed tab 21.

A T-shaped slot 28 is spaced a slight distance from the apex of each slot 25. Each of said slots 28 has a longitudinal leg 28a which is coaxial with the central score line 34, and a transverse cross arm 282) which is adjacent to the respective slot 25. A pair of slots 29 and 3e are spaced on either side of each T-shaped slot 28.

A similar T-shaped slot Si is located between each slot 28 and the respective longitudinal edge. of the blank Iii. Each of these slots Si is flanked 32 and 33. Each slot 3i has a by a pair of slots longitudinal leg 3m and a transverse cross arm 3 31b, and is axially alined with the T-shaped slots 28. The slots 32 and 33 are likewise alined with the respective slots 29 and 39.

The panel H has a central longitudinal score line 34 which bisects the slots 25, 26, 23, and 3!. When the panel H is bent longitudinally along score line 34 in the assembled position of the carton, the longitudinal legs 28a and 3 id of slots 28 and 3! form open grooves on the top folded edge of the panel H, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, while the respective transverse cross arms 23b and 3 lb form cross grooves which are perpendicular to said folded edge. Similarly, when the panel I l is bent, the longitudinal leg 26a and the cross arm 26?) form perpendicularly disposed grooves in the bent edge of panel H, as is also shown in Fig. 4. The purpose of such construction will be presently described.

The side panel has a pair of sealing flaps 3'! which are integral with the terminal edges thereof along score lines 38. Each terminal edge of the panel 2! bears an integral end panel 33. Each end panel 39 is trapezoidal in shape and is arranged at a slight angle to the longitudinal axis of the panel 2 l. Each end panel 39 joins an end of panel 2| along a respective score line 36, and

as is clearly shown in Fig. 1, the height of each end panel 39 is greater than the width of side panel 29 so that a portion 390. of the joined edge of the end panel extends a slight distance beyond the score line l5. These extension portions 390: of end panels 39 form a pair of support legs in the assembled carton, as will be presently described.

Each end panel 39 also contains a hole or slot 40 which is optionally elliptical as shown, although it may be of any desired shape, and an 'integral top closure flap til which extends the width of the panel 33 along a score line 52. A central transverse score line 43 extends the height of each end panel 39 and its integral closure flap 4|.

. The partition panel 23 is stamped with a series of U-shaped cuts to provide two alined but separated rows of U-shaped partition flaps Al, A8 and 49. The flaps in each row are directed in opposite directions, facing the terminal edges of the panel 23. The rows are separated by the planar, unbroken, central portion of the partition panel 23, which defines a rectangular support platform 43. Said support platform. is is bisected longitudinally by the perforated line 24. A sealing flap 44 extends integrally along the outer longitudinal edge of the partition panel 23, along a score line 45.

The partition flaps 41, 48, and d3 of each row are formed by U-shaped cuts which form the bottom free U-shaped edges of the flaps ll, 53, and 49 as well as the top planar edges of the flaps 48 and '49 which are pivotally connected to the side panel 2! and sealing flap A l by respective flap extensions 43c and 49a. The inner partition flaps 41 are connected to the support platform 46 along score line 41a.

V Each partition flap 41 and 48 has a slit 59 extending perpendicularly inward from the center of the free U-shaped edge of said flap. Each slit 50 communicates with the base of a triangular opening 5|, which is inwardly spaced from the edge of its respective partition flap. Each slit 59 with its corresponding triangular opening 5| defines a pair of adjacent and inwardly-facing locking tabs 56 and 5'1, which are sized and positioned to fit within the respective bottom panel openings 39, 33 and 29, 3| when the blank i9 is set up to form the assembled egg carton.

Each of the innermost flaps 41 has an elongated cut-out edge portion 54 at the center of the free U-shaped edge thereof. In alinement with, and

spaced above each of said cut-out portions 54 is a bendable along respective score lines 53a.

The drawings are substantially to scale and reference'is made thereto for further disclosure.

After the carton blank H) has been stamped to the form shown in Fig. 1, it may be brought to a compact pre-assembled form for shipment. This operation may be performed in the factory by machine. The blank i0 is folded along score lines [4, 34, I5, 52, and 43, and the sealing flap 44 is secured along the outer longitudinal edge of the side panel 29 by a line of adhesive which is indicated in Fig. l by reference letter A. Although the use of an adhesive is preferred for sealing purposes, it is apparent that the sealing flap 52 may be secured to the side panel 20 by staples or any other suitable means of attachment.

When the end panels 39 are folded along their score lines l3, their free terminal edges register with the sealing flaps 31 which project from each side of the side panel 29. These sealing flaps 31 are secured to the free terminal edges of the end panels 33, as by a line of adhesive, indicated by reference letter D in Fig. 1.

This pie-assembled form of the carton is shown in Fig. 7. In actual practice, the two halves of the end panels 39 are folded flat against each other on score line 43 so that the side panels 20 and 2! are drawn flush against the flattened halves of the longitudinally folded bottom panel 5 l. The carton is thus entirely flattened so that a quantity may be stacked in compact form for shipment.

The egg cartons are shipped in this flattened, knock-down form to the packer who must assemble it to its proper form for receiving the eggs. In most conventional egg cartons which are also shipped in flattened form, the final assembly of the egg carton is so complicated that special machines must be utilized for this purpose. In the egg carton of the invention, however,the carton is automatically brought to its fully-assembled and locked position by the act of the packer in inserting the eggs therein.

When the packer is ready to fill the carton with eggs, he places the pr'e' asseinbled carton in the upright vertical position shown in Fig. '7, upon a flat surface, and presse downwardl upon the folded edge of the partition panel 23. This downward pressure causes the partition panel 23 to unfold along the score line 52 until it assumes a fiat planar form shown at the upper half of Fig. 2. In assuming this fiat form, the longitudinal edges of the partition panel 23 move the side panels 29 and 2! away from each other, which in turn cause the end panels 39 to unfold along the score lines 43 until they likewise are flat and planar. Th carton therefore assumes its expanded, assembled form.

At this stage of assembly, the partition panel 23 extends in flat planar form, horizontally and perpendicularly between the tops of the side panels 29 and 2 l As shown in Fig. 1, the bottom panel H and the integral side bottom panels it and IT together have an appreciably greater Width than the partition panel 23. Since the side panels 29 and 2| are substantially vertically disposed, therefore, the bottom panel ii and side bottom panels it and I! are inclined inwardly and upwardly from their respective integral side panels 2&3 and 2!, while the longitudinal halve of the bent bottom panel i i extend upwardly therefrom, meeting at the score line 34 at an acute angle.

In this angular position of the bottom panel H, the openings 28, 3t and 32, it, are substantially transversely alined with each other in a position to receive the opposed looking tabs 56, 5? of the partition flaps t8 and at, when said partition flaps are pivoted downwardly to a vertical position. The groove; formed by the slots 2t, 3| in the top folded edge of the bottom panel 1 i provide clearance for the downward pivoting movement of the partition flaps t8 and 49.

Each partition flap 41, 38, and 59 may thus be pivoted downwardly to a vertical position, providing a pair of egg-receiving recesses which ar separated by the central, upstanding bent bottom panel 1 i. When the partition flap 9 is piv oted downwardly, for example, the locking tabs 58 and 5'! separate at the slit 5 and sen forwarolly slightly, sliding along the inclined wails of the bottom panel ii toward the opposed open ings 32, 33, as shown in Fig. 5. At the same time, the apex of the triangular opening 56 slides along the groove formed by the longitudinal 31a of the T-shaped slot 31 until it snaps into the transverse arm Bib of said slot i i and is locked therein. In this position, the partition flap 4!? i vertically disposed, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6, and the locking tabs and El have snapped into the opposed openings 3?. and 33, to further lock the partition flap it in this vertical position.

In a similar manner, each of the partition flaps as may be pivoted to a vertical position, the apex of the triangular openings 5! entering the transverse arm 23b of the T-shaped slot 23, and the locking tabs 56, 5? entering the opposed opening 29 and 31!.

When each of the inner partition flaps 4'! is pivoted along score line tie; to a vertical position, the inset edge-portion of the partition flap 4'! defined by the elongated cutout portion 5 rides along the bottom surface of the respective arcuate slot of the bent bottom panel H, as shown in Fig. 2. The areuate pointed tab 2i enters the triangular opening be, and when the flap ll reaches its vertical position, the of said triangular opening falls into the transverse arm 2% of the Tshaped slot 26, being thus held from further pivoting movement past its vertical position. The partition panel ii is thus locked in its vertical position by the T- shaped slot 26, and also by the spreading pressure of the bent tab 2'! against the walls of the triangular opening 55, a indicated in Figs. 8 and 4.

To bring any of partition flaps ti, .8, or 49 to its vertical, locked position, it is merely necessary to stand an egg in. upright position on one side of the horizontally-disposed partition flap, and press the egg vertically downward upon said flap. Fig. 5 illustrates this operation with relation to the flap at. A the egg E moves downward into the egg-receiving recess, it pivots the partition fiap to its vertical, locked, position.

Thus this final step in the assembly of the carton is accomplished by the very act of inserting the eggs in their proper positions in the carton.

After all of the eggs have been inserted, the

closure flaps ii are bent inwardly on score lines d2, as shown in Fig. 6, until they are substantially perpendicular to their respective integral end panels 35, which latter have become the end walls of the assembled carton. The locking tabs 53 of cover panel 22 are then folded perpendicularly to said cover panel, as shown in Fig. 6 and the cover panel 22 is folded downwardly along score line Hi until it covers the top of the assembled carton. The locking tabs 53 enter the cut-out spaces between the central support platform #3 and the partition panels 48, and between the partition panel 39 and the end walls 33 of the carton. The locking tabs 53 have respective slits 53?: along a portion of the score lines 53a. The slits of the innermost tabs '53 snap under the flap extensions 48a and the slits of the outermost tabs snap under the ends of the bent closure flaps ii to releasably look the cover panel 22 in closed position.

The openings it are provided in the end panels 39 to enable a purchaser to observe the contained eggs and ascertain their color when the cover is locked in it closed position.

In their fully assembled positions, the filled cartons may be stacked upon each other in adjacent rows, as is customary in retail stores and the like. In such places, limitations in space require the cartons to be placed in fairly high stacks, so that the weight of the filled cartons causes breakage of the eggs in the lower cartons in the stacks. In addition, the cartons are stacked so close to each other that they abut each other on their sides and ends. This also causes appreciable breakage due to transverse, horizontal pressure of the cartons on each other.

The cartons of the instant invention are shown in stacked relationship in Figs. 3 and. 4. It will be noted in these views that the shapes of the side panels 26 and 2|, and of the end panels 39 are such that both the longitudinal and transverse cross-sections of the carton are in the shape of equilateral trapezoids. The side walls and end walls of the closely-stacked cartons therefore make only line contact at the top edges of the side panels 2i), 2!, and the end panels 39, thus avoiding break-age of the contained eggs due to transverse pressure.

.In this connection, it may be observed that in conventional egg cartons, to prevent breakage of the eggs from transverse pressure on the ends of the carton, a projecting flange or rib is provided at each end of the carton, the flange projecting horizontally from the end wall of the last egg receiving recess or pocket. Since these projeeting flanges are commonly made of widths which are or A", the length of: the carton is thus increased by as much as For econ-- omy in storing and also for standardization in displaying and stacking the cartons on shelves and cases of retail stores, egg cartons holding a dozen eggs are generally made of a standard uniform size, namely 11 inches in length. The cartons are normally made in two sections, each holding six eggs, these sections being joined together on a perforated line similar to the central perforated line 24 of the blank 10, on which the carton may be torn into two half sections, each containing a half-dozen eggs. Since it was necessary to provide the projecting flanges on the ends of the conventional egg carton and still have the carton remain within the 11 inch standard limit of length, there is necessarily very little clearance space provided between the central perforated tear-line and the next adjacent egg-receiving recesses and pockets. Consequent- 1y, when the carton is torn in half, it frequently happens that either the centrally-contained eggs are cracked, or else the walls of the egg-receiving pockets are torn adjacent the perforated line, so that the eggs eventually fall out of the carton.

In the present invention, it will be noted that the end walls 39 serve also as the walls of the outermost egg-receiving pockets. Thus there is now waste space at the ends of the carton, and consequently this extra space may be utilized at the center of the carton adjacent the central perforated tear-line 24. The carton is made in the conventional length of 11 inches. The support platform 4% is, however made one inch in width, so that there is a full one-half inch space between the central perforated tear-line 24 and each adjacent vertical partition flap 41, as indicated in Fig. 4. Thus when the carton is torn in half along the perforated line 24, there is little danger of damaging the carton or the adjacent eggs.

It will be further noted that when an egg E is inserted in any of the egg-receiving recesses or pockets, the top of the egg E is located well below the closed cover panel 22. This is clearly shown in Fig. 3. When the cover 22 is closed, it rests upon the support platform at, and also upon the top edges of all the vertically-disposed partition flaps 41, 18, and 49, and t eir respective flap extensions Ala, 48a, and 49a. The cover is thus supported by a plurality of rigid surfaces which are attached at both ends to, and are well braced by, the side panels 20 and 2|, thereby eliminating the danger of the cover buckling downwardly to crack the eggs when pressure is applied at the top of the carton, as is common in conventional cartons.

As was previously indicated, the extension portions 3% of the end panels 39 form a pair of support legs in the assembled carton, which support legs depend from the bottom of the carton. When the cartons are stacked as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, one carton rests upon the verticallyadjacent carton only linearly along each support leg 3%. There is no downward pressure upon the cover 22 therefore at the region in which the contained eggs are located. The contained eggs are therefore cradled within the carton in a region which is remote from either vertical or horizontal pressure.

As will be observed in Fig. 6 the cover, side, and end walls of the carton all present a solid and unbroken planar surface which presents adequate room for printed advertising matter, a factor which is desirable in the manufacture of cartons.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described herein, it is obvious that numerous additions, changes and omissions may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A carton blank comprising a single sheet of ioldable material of substantially rectangular form having a plurality of parallel, transverse score lines spaced to form a central bottom panel, a bottom side panel adjacent each side of said central bottom panel, a side panel adjacent each bottom side panel, partition panel adjacent one of said side panels, a cover panel adjacent the other side panel, and a narrow sealing flap adjacent said partition panel, one of said side panels having an integral end panel at each terminal transverse edge thereof connected along a score line, the other side panel having an integral narrow sealing flap at each terminal transverse edge thereof connected along a score line, said carton having a longitudinal central perforated tear line extending the entire length thereof, said central bottom panel having a pair of dome-shaped, pointed, arcuate slots which are equally spaced from the said perforated line with the points thereof facing the adjacent terminal transverse edges of said bottom panel, two pairs of alined, spaced openings spaced from each of said arcuate slots, said partition panel having a series of six substantially U-shaped cuts and a score line connecting the ends of each said cuts, said cuts being arranged in a row extending longitudinally of said partition panel, said cuts being arranged in groups of three spaced from the center of said partition panel and facing in opposite direction toward the adjacent transverse edge of said partition panel, each of said partition flaps having a triangular opening therein.

2. A collapsible egg carton comprising a pair of spaced longitudinal side walls, a pair of spaced lateral end walls connecting the ends of said side walls, a longitudinally-extending bottom section of inverted V-shape connecting the lower edges of said side walls, a flat partition panel connecting the upper edges of said side walls and extending longitudinally above said bottom section, said partition panel having a central laterallyextending bridge and a pair of oppositely extending central partition flaps respectively hinged along each lateral edge of said bridge, said partition panel also having a plurality of outer partition panels hingedly connected between said side walls and located on either side of said bridge between the respective central partition panels and the end walls of said carton, said central and outer partition panels being downwardly foldable to vertical positions to form egg-receiving compartments, each outer partition panel having a pair of locking lugs receivable in corresponding slots of said bottom section for locking said panel in its vertical position, each central partition panel having a central triangular opening spaced above the bottom edge thereof and forming a lateral arm between its base and said bottom edge, said bottom wall having an arcuate slot positioned to receive the lateral arm of each central partition panel, each arcuate slot extending longitudinally from the top edge of said bottom section downwardly and inwardly toward the center of said bottom section, the lateral arm of the respective central partition panel being supported by the inner end of said arcuate slot when said panel is brought to its vertical position.

3. A carton according to claim 2 in which the top edge of each arcuate slot defines a pointed tab of double-wall thickness of progressively greater width toward the center of said bottom wall, said pointed tab extending through the triangular opening of the respective central partition flap when said flap is brought to its vertical position, the top edge of said tab having an inclined cut-out groove positioned to receive the apex of said triangular opening and lock said flap in its vertical position.

1. A collapsible egg carton comprising a pair of spaced and substantially parallel side walls, a pair of end walls connecting the terminal transverse edges of said side walls, a bottom wall formed of two inclined half-portions which extend upwardly and inwardly to meet at a central longitudinal fold line, a partition panel having a planar, horizontal central support platform of appreciable width which extends laterally between the central top longitudinal edges of the side walls and also having six partition flaps extending in aligned longitudinal rows of three each in opposite directions at both sides of said support platform, the inner flap of each row being integral with and hingedly connected to said support platform, the outer twto flaps of each row being hingedly connected at the ends of their top edges to integral extensions which are secured to the respective side walls of the carton, each of said partition flaps having a substantially U-shaped cut edge which faces the adjacent end wall of said carton, each of said partition flaps being hinged to pivot to a vertical position in which it is substantially parallel to said end walls, said bottom wall and each partition flap having cooperating locking means positioned to contact and interlock when said partition flap is pivoted to its vertical position, and a flat cover hingedly connected to the top edge of one of said side Walls and having locking tabs positioned to interlock with said partition panel to hold said cover in a horizontal closed position, the top edges of said partition flaps in their vertical positions and the top surface of said support platform being horizontally aligned with the top edges of said side walls and end walls, said cover in its closed position resting flush upon said partition flap topedges and support platform top surface, each of the outer partition flaps having a triangular opening spaced above the bottom out edge of said flap and a slit extending from the center of said bottom out edge to the center of the base of said triangular opening to define a pair of facing locking tabs, said bottom wall half-portions having a cut-away longitudinal groove at their line of juncture which terminates in a transvers slot, said half-portions each containing an opening therein, each of said openings being positioned to receive one of said locking tabs when said partition flap is pivoted to its vertical position, the apex of said triangular opening sliding along said longitudinal groove and being releasably locked in said transverse slot when said partition flap is pivoted to its vertical position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 976,318 Vernon Nov. 22, 1910 1,668,800 Bonfield May 8, 1928 1,922,145 Troyk Aug. 15, 1933 1,980,597 Reich Nov. 13, 1934 1,992,192 Cox Feb. 26, 1935 2,244,961 Nidegger June 10, 1941 2,387,314 Cox Oct. 23, 1945 2,484,085 Golden Oct. 11, 1949 

